Town in Lisbon, Portugal
Sintra for solo travelers
Is Sintra good for solo travel?
Romantic palaces, forest trails and misty hills 40 minutes from Lisbon. Best as a day trip or a quiet base; crowds queue for Pena and the narrow town is steep.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Forest trails are safest in daylight and in groups on weekdays. |
How to meet people in Sintra
Walking tours, hostel groups from Lisbon, guided hikes on the Sintra–Cascais trail and shared tuk-tuk or bus rides at the palaces.
Good things to do alone
- Arrive at Pena Palace at opening to beat the crowds
- Hike from town to the Moorish Castle through the forest
- Explore Quinta da Regaleira's initiation well
- Walk to Cabo da Roca, Europe's westernmost point
- Eat travesseiros at Piriquita
Where to stay in Sintra
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sintra Vila | Walkable historic centre near the train, cafés and Pena shuttle |
| São Pedro de Sintra | Quieter village with market and local restaurants |
| Colares–Praia das Maçãs | Seaside villages, wine and beaches west of the hills |
Solo travel across Portugal
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Porto | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lagos | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Algarve | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Madeira | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sintra | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cascais | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Azores | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Faro | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Ericeira | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Coimbra | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Douro Valley | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Évora | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Braga | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Aveiro | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Silver Coast | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Albufeira | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nazaré | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tavira | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Sintra good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Romantic palaces, forest trails and misty hills 40 minutes from Lisbon.
How do you meet people in Sintra?
Walking tours, hostel groups from Lisbon, guided hikes on the Sintra–Cascais trail and shared tuk-tuk or bus rides at the palaces. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Sintra?
Widely spoken.
Is Sintra safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Forest trails are safest in daylight and in groups on weekdays.
More about Sintra
Going to Sintra solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Sintra meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.